Breakfast and humilation

—SAMANTHA—

The next morning, as always, I woke at 4 a.m dot. This routine had become second nature to me, something that had been drilled into me ever since I married into the Frost family.

I quietly got out of bed, careful not to make any noise. Not that Zeke was here to hear it—he never spent the night in our room anyway. I checked my reflection in the mirror. My eye throbbed, a painful reminder of Zeke’s cruelty. The bruise around my eye had faded faintly, but traces of it still remained, the skin darkened with an ugly purple hue.

I turned away, I had no time to dwell on it.

Slipping out of bedroom, the mansion was still dark, and silent, except for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. I made my way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the entire household. Traditionally, it was a task meant for the servants to handle, but my dear mother-in-law, Georgia, had made it clear that I was responsible for feeding them.

"You're not here to enjoy luxury girl," she had once sneered at me. "A nobody like you from the slums should at least learn to be useful."

That was Georgia's way of reminding me that I didn’t belong here; that I was nothing more than a country girl who got lucky by marrying her son.

I never argued.

I never complained.

I only did as I was told, mainly because of Zeke and also for my daughter's sake.

Alone in the dimly lit kitchen, I set fire and began gathering fresh vegetables and shrimp. The rhythmic chopping and sizzling filled the silence, a small comfort in the early hours. Soon, the servants poured in, some greeted me, others chose to ignore me. A few offered to help, I know mostly out of pity rather than respect, and I let them.

By the time we finished, Maya arrived with my daughter, Amore. My little girl was already dressed for school, her tiny hands clutching the straps of her backpack as she ran toward me.

“Mommy!” My daughter’s voice was like a balm on my aching heart.

She ran into my arms, and I knelt down to hug her tightly, pressing a kiss to her soft cheek.

“Good morning, bunny. Did you sleep well?”

She nodded, but her eyes flickered to my face, her tiny brows furrowing. “Mommy, your eye still hurts?”

I forced a smile, brushing her hair back. “No, it doesn't, bunny.”

Amore didn’t look convinced, but she let it go.

She giggled and wrinkled her nose. “You smell like food.”

I chuckled, brushing her hair back. “That’s because Mommy was cooking. Now, come on, breakfast is ready.

I fed her myself, making sure she ate enough before school. She chatted happily between bites, telling me about a song her teacher had taught her. For a moment, I forgot about my pain.

When she finished, I took her outside to the parking lot where the family butler was waiting in the car.

“Goodbye, Mommy!” She waved at me excitedly as she climbed into the Bentley.

I smiled, waving back. "Have a great day at school, bunny."

Then I turned to Maya with a stern order. “Make sure she gets inside her class safely before leaving.”

“Yes, madam,” Maya assured me with a smile before entering the vehicle.

As the car vanished through the driveway, I sighed tiredly, wiping the sweat from my forehead. I wanted to go back to my room and rest, even if just for a little while. But I couldn’t. There was still work to do. So, I headed back inside, did the laundry, cleaned the entire mansion, swept the floors, and then watered the garden.

By the time I was done, I was completely drained. I was about to head to my room when I heard footsteps on the stairs.

Startled, I looked up.

It was my mother-in-law, Georgia.

I had no idea she slept here, I thought she left for Emerald Villa after her visit yesterday.

Georgia walked down with her usual air of importance like those elite women. Dressed in an expensive burgundy gown, she looked far younger than her actual age, thanks to the fortune she spent on endless skincares and beauty treatments. Her blue eyes, which reminded me of Zeke’s, landed on me with immediate disdain.

I straightened immediately, bowing slightly. “Good morning, Mother.”

Georgia rolled her eyes dismissively as she walked past me as if I was invisible.

I clenched my fists but followed her quietly to the dining area where she took her seat at the long table.

“Is breakfast ready?” she asked impatiently as she sat down.

I forced a stiff smile. “Yes, Mother.”

Then I returned to the kitchen. With the help of the servants, I set the table, placing the breakfasts I had worked so hard to prepare. The spread looked appetizing; fresh bread, shrimp salad, eggs, and porridge, an extravagant spread fit for a five-star restaurant.

For a moment, I felt a tiny bit of pride. I had always been a good cook. Back when I first married Zeke, I thought my culinary skills would earn me the family’s approval.

Now, I know better.

I had been naive.

The Frosts didn’t appreciate it. To them, I was just a lowly servant.

To them, they saw me as nothing more than an inconvenience, a stain on their perfect, wealthy image.

Georgia began eating, picking at her food delicately with slow, careful grace, when Zeke and Lilian appeared at the top of the staircase.

I forced myself to stay calm as I watched my husband fix his cuffs, his sharp grey suit hugging his lean frame perfectly. His dirty blonde hair was neatly styled, and he looked as handsome as ever, exuding confidence, every bit of a Ceo.

Heats spread through my face as memories of last night refreshed in my head.

My face flushed and I quickly made a mental note to always lock the door to prevent such from ever happening again.

Zeke coldly walked right past me.

He didn’t even glance in my direction. Instead, he went straight to his mother, kissed her cheek, and sat beside her.

Lilian came next, wearing me a fake smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She sat down next to them, completing their picture-perfect family.

I stood there, watching as they all sat together like a happy family while I remained standing in a corner, like an outsider.

No one cared to call me to join.

“Hello, everyone!”

Then, as if on cue, Ophelia walked in through the entrance of the Frost mansion.

The entire atmosphere changed.

I stiffened.

Hadn’t she spent the night here?

"Good morning, Georgia," Ophelia piped, her voice sickeningly sweet.

Dressed in a flowing blue gown that accentuated her slender figure, her dark brown hair glowed, and her brown eyes sparkled with feigned innocence. She was undeniably beautiful, the kind of woman who could effortlessly lighten up any room, she walked in.

Georgia’s face lit up -something she never did for me. The same woman who barely acknowledged me was now beaming with joy. She even stood up, eager to hug Ophelia.

“Oh, my dear, you’re here!” she beamed, rising from her seat.

I caught Ophelia’s smile wavered slightly in disgust as she noticed a bit of fish and drool that clung in the corner of Georgia’s lips. She hesitated for half a second before stepping forward to accept the hug.

I pretended not to notice, though the irony wasn't lost on me.​

Ophelia, the perfect woman in their eyes, could barely stand being touched by Georgia. And yet, I was the one treated like dirt.

I could barely stifle a laugh.

Then, Ophelia quickly pulled away and walked over, sliding into the the seat beside Zeke, leaning into him as if she belonged there.

“Lilian, I got you something,” she said sweetly, pulling out a box. “It’s Lucy’s new edition. Though it’s a replica, I assure you, no one else has used it.”

Lilian gasped dramatically, practically snatching the designer bag from Ophelia’s hands.

Lillian squealed in excitement, hugging the bag like it was a trophy. "Oh my God! Ophelia, you’re the best! But you didn’t have to…”

Ophelia giggled. "Of course, I did, Lillian. You deserve nice things."

Georgia clapped her hands together in delight. “Ophelia, you’re always so thoughtful!”

“Georgia, you flatter me…” Ophelia blushed, lowering her head shyly as she leaned into my husband’s chest.

And Zeke?

He let her.

Just like that, I disappeared.

No one cared that I was still standing there.

Then, Georgia cleared her throat and spoke, her voice dripping with scorn.

"It’s nice to see some people can afford such luxury. Unlike certain others who come from the slums and only know how to leech off my son’s money. They can’t even afford a bag, let alone gifts.”

Silence fell over the dining table.

The words hung in the air like a slap.